Dubai and Abu Dhabi have emerged as the top holiday destinations for British travelers during this year’s Christmas season, with new data revealing a significant surge in travel searches for the current season, as reported by “Travel Dubai.”
An analysis conducted by the site, which combines search trends from “Travel Bag” on Google and booking data, indicates that interest in spending the Christmas holiday in Dubai and Abu Dhabi has spiked over the past three months. This shift highlights a growing preference among British travelers for sunny destinations during winter.
Searches for Abu Dhabi as a holiday destination increased by 91%, while Dubai saw an 82% rise in searches over the last three months. Following these two cities were Mauritius with a 56% increase and Costa Rica with a 55% boost. The Maldives, South Africa, and Bali also made it to the top ten list, showcasing the continued interest of British travelers in distant locations during the holiday season. Dubai’s presence in both sets of data for 2024 and 2025 further underlines its resilience as a holiday travel option.
The study indicates that planning for holiday travel among British travelers is becoming increasingly forward-looking, with search interests for Christmas 2025 already showing marked increases across various destinations. The leading position of Abu Dhabi reflects a growing confidence in the destination as a holiday option, while Dubai’s ongoing popularity suggests a sustained demand for favored winter locales.